Traveling to Europe with two very little kids?

[mjbabcock]

Okay, the wife and I are in serious need of a vacation to a location where we can take a break from life. We're both pursuing terminal degrees and have two wonderful daughters (who are 2 yrs and 3 months respectively). I've got to put something together for this summer that gives us (me) something to look forward to.

Any suggestions for international travel (thinking Europe here) that would provide interesting opportunities for parents with little children while not breaking the bank? Opportunities to ride are a bonus but not necessary. I'm also open to suggestions for travel up to Whistler for a week or a trip out to the San Juans for a camping trip. We're in a veritable Shangri-la but I need something to look forward to...suggestions?

[vertical_doug]

I'd look for a closer destination that doesn't involve as many time zones. Jet Lag for the children can be a real headache to work around. Your first week there will be spent up all night and sleeping all day. When you return home, you will also deal with it. For that reason, I'd skip Europe until the children are older.

When my daughters were younger, going to the beach was a blast. Have you considered Kauai? The jet lag goes in the right direction meaning the children will sleep later in the morning too.

[liv2bike]

Travel to Europe with little ones is not that bad. We have done it. If you must travel to Europe then I suggest Tivoli Gardens and Amusement park in Copenhagen. An amazing place.

Tivoli

International travel with tots just requires lots of prep. Biggest hassle for us was all the baby gear...car seats b/c we rented a car, stroller etc. I would suggest picking a destination, renting a flat/apartment vs bouncing around all over the place.

[robin3mj]

No kids of my own but having traveled to France with some friends and their 1 year old I can tell you that the portion we spent in the countryside was vastly more enjoyable than the 2 days spent in Paris. Negotiating the Metro with little ones, strollers, etc was a major hassle.

[echelon_john]

We've never had an issue traveling in Europe with our daughter. Granted, we only have one child, but it was never an issue. In Italy, where our home base is, children are very welcome in restaurants; we often had de facto babysitting as the wait staff would whisk our daughter away, play with her, etc. while we ate. I have pictures of her at maybe 1.5 yrs old sitting on a table in a kitchen eating beans fed to her by a chef.

Kids are remarkably resilient as far as jet lag. Sure, there will be an adjustment, but some planning to keep them fed and watered and give them chances to nap will go a long way. I would say go for it; if you love travel and plan for that to be part of your life, then the earlier the better for your kids to get into it.

Good luck!

[holliscx]

Just throwing this out but I bet you could find a casa rural (rural house) rental very cheap in Spain. Possibly look for something in the Basque country that would afford good riding at your doorstep and perhaps coincide with a detour to see the Tour pass through the Pyrenees in early July. If you had a car you may be able to pop into cities like San Sebastian and Santander for a night although with the little ones this will be difficult to do right without a babysitter. Good luck I have two little ones under three myself.

[liv2bike]

One more thing...kids need passports too. I am sure you knoe but just thought I would throw it out there anyway. I will say it again, do not hesitate to travel to Europe with kids. You all will make some wonderful memories. One of the other things we loved...all the parks. The playground equipment is really different than the stuff our parks have...at least the parks we found over there. Also letting the kids run in the piazza's makes for good times.

[sladejw]

Travel to Europe with little ones is not that bad. We have done it. If you must travel to Europe then I suggest Tivoli Gardens and Amusement park in Copenhagen. An amazing place.

Tivoli

International travel with tots just requires lots of prep. Biggest hassle for us was all the baby gear...car seats b/c we rented a car, stroller etc. I would suggest picking a destination, renting a flat/apartment vs bouncing around all over the place.

Agree that international travel with kids is not bad. My parents took me & my sister abroad regularly, starting when I was 3 months. We lived abroad twice, traveled to Europe at least every other year. Totally the reason why I have the travel bug.

That said, I disagree with the notion that you have to ensconce yourselves somewhere. We move every 3-4 days. The actual traveling from town to town is part of the adventure. Skip renting the car & just bring a stroller. Europeans love seeing Americans with kids--it's just not done in their experience, but the Euros take their kids everywhere.

And I'll second Tivoli as a fun destination. But think Greece; it's cheap (especially now), very possible to get around the islands on public ferries, beaches, ruins & museums, and great food.

[j44ke]

Most people speak the international language of baby, so you'll meet a lot of people you might not otherwise in places that have a welcoming attitude towards children. Our experience traveling with friends who have kids is that places like Spain, Italy, and Croatia all seem to like kids. What has worked well when we've traveled with our friends is to stay in one place for the duration and then drive out on day excursions to explore. Or just hang out at the house. Everyone likes naps.

Istria is really beautiful. South of Trieste and across from Venice, but linked historically with a really great flavor and pace of life. Rovinj and Pula are both ancient places with plenty of accommodations for tourists, including little houses near the coast here and there.

Some of the towns along the coast south of Barcelona are supposed to be very nice. A friend has a tiny place in Sitges that she likes so much we may never get to "borrow" it. Nice beaches, a market, arts, nice climate.

And in Italy, some place like this might be nice. Kids can run around, there's a pool, you are near Lucca and excellent food, a big market, and about 45 minutes or so from the coastal beaches. Pisa is an hour. Florence is an hour and a half. Or you can just sit in the hammock.

[maunahaole]

Makena is a nice spot. Plenty sharks.

[Vlad Luskin]

Dude, go to Hawaii and sit on the beach, sipping mai tais, while you watch your kids play in the sand and don't subject pre-schoolers -- and yourself -- to 9+-hour flights and jet lag. Do it now and save Europe until they're old enough to appreciate it.

[fa63]

...sit on the beach, sipping mai tais...

Mai Tais are delicious, indeed.

[maunahaole]

The Aulani resort on the west shore of Oahu has facilities to provide day care for the kiddies if you want some alone time. It is newly opened by disney this past year. Problem is that it is also set up to drain money from your wallet in an extremely rapid fashion.

There is other stuff on west side. Plus is that the weather is normally sunnier and warmer than other places on Oahu and there are some artificial protected lagoons for swimming and sitting out. Minus is that it is on the west side and away from everything. Not a problem, if you don't plan on ever leaving the resort. Otherwise, you will need a car.